The U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) will allocate $86.3 million to build a bridge, a transit facility, extend street grids and develop waterfront trails in Pennsylvania. The projects will increase non-motorized travel safety and ensure communities are connected with critical amenities.
The Susquehanna Regional Transportation Authority (SRTA) in Harrisburg will receive $25 million to build a Compressed Natural Gas (CNG)-compliant maintenance and operations transit facility. The building will help mitigate greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and provide additional sidewalks to reduce conflicts between vehicles and non-motorized travelers. The project will also build a transfer center featuring 16 bus berths, sales booths, real-time passenger information and seating and weather protection for passengers. Construction is expected to begin in September 2025.
The Borough of Sharpsburg will use $24.9 million to build a bridge, roads, a multi-use trail and bus stops to transform a riverfront district. The project will install sidewalks and rail crossings to increase non-motorized traveler safety. In addition, the borough will build a 300-foot bridge over an impassable rail line, linking an active transportation facility to neighboring towns. The project will improve access to affordable transit options, reduce transportation and housing cost burdens and advance the borough’s carbon neutrality goals. Construction is expected to begin in October 2027.
The Philadelphia Housing Authority will receive $21.4 million to redevelop the city’s Westpark campus. The project will extend the street grid to connect the campus with a rail station and local park. Plans include creating additional space for housing with a network of shared streets, sidewalks and bike infrastructure. Construction is expected to begin in December 2024.
Additionally, the Redevelopment Authority of the county of York will spend $15 million to build a 1-mile waterfront trail and upgrade flood control infrastructure. The greenway trail will separate non-motorized travelers from vehicles, increasing safety and accessibility along the waterfront. Once completed, the project will use a non-motorized facility to reconnect underserved communities with critical destinations and amenities. Construction is expected to begin in January 2025.
USDOT allocated the funds through the Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity (RAISE) grant program. The RAISE program invests in community projects to build and renovate critical transportation infrastructure projects across the country.
The projects are a selection of 148 receiving a portion of the recently announced $1.8 billion in RAISE funding for Fiscal Year 2024. Including the latest round, USDOT has invested $7.2 billion across 550 projects through the RAISE program since it was established.
Photo by King of Hearts